BERLIN (AP) — Artist Ai Weiwei says Chinese authorities returned his passport with "almost no" strings attached and promised him that he can return to China.

Ai traveled to Munich last week after having his passport returned, four years after it was confiscated, for a medical checkup and to see his young son. In an interview with the Munich-based daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung published on Wednesday, the dissident artist said Chinese authorities now have a more positive attitude toward him.

He was quoted as saying: "They know that I want to make China into a better country, that I am concerned about the young generation." He added that there is now "a basis of trust" — otherwise he wouldn't be allowed to exhibit and travel.

Ai didn't detail his future plans.